§ 6. Mr. DAYasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the frequency of clandestine marriages contracted at Gretna Green; and whether he will consider the appointment of a Commission to examine the whole question of marriages under the Scottish marriage law?
§ The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. MacRobert)My right hon. Friend is aware that many irregular marriages are contracted at Gretna Green, as well as at other places in Scotland. The question of an inquiry into the Scottish marriage law is receiving the consideration of my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. DAYIs it a fact that 215 marriages were contracted at Gretna Green last year and only 18 were registered?
§ The LORD ADVOCATEI am not aware of those figures, but I know that a number of irregular marriages take place at Gretna Green, and there are also a great number at other places in Scotland.
§ Mr. HARDIECan the Lord Advocate give the names of the other places in Scotland where these irregular marriages take place on the same lines and under the same conditions as at Gretna Green?
§ The LORD ADVOCATEI think the hon. Member will find that some take place at Springburn.
§ Mr. HARDIECan the Lord Advocate give, from any records relating to his statement in reference to Springburn, one instance where this form of marriage has ever taken place in Springburn?
§ Mr. SHINWELLDoes the Lord Advocate, when he speaks of irregular marriages being contracted in Scotland, mean marriages contracted before the Sheriff; and are those marriages not in a somewhat different category from those contracted at Gretna Green?
§ The LORD ADVOCATEThese are exactly the same kind of marriages.
§ The LORD ADVOCATECertainly.